H. Billson et al., Variation in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults in Britain. An analysis from the dietary and nutritional survey of British adults, EUR J CL N, 53(12), 1999, pp. 946-952
Objectives: Using a national representative sample to examine variation in
fruit and vegetable consumption among adults in the UK, with particular ref
erence to consumers with high and low reported intakes.
Design: National representative dietary survey using 7-d weighed diet recor
ds of men and women aged 16-64 y living in private households in the UK in
1986-1987.
Setting: The UK.
Subjects: 1087 men and 1110 women. The sample was selected by a multi-stage
random probability design. The response was 70%, Subjects with low energy
intake were subsequently excluded.
Main outcome measures: Food group, nutrient intake, physiological measures
socio-economic, demographic and behavioural characteristics.
Results: Consumption of fruit and vegetables was estimated. The sample was
divided by sex into four quarter groups according to fruit and vegetable co
nsumption. There were significant similarities between quarter groups in fr
uit and vegetable and other food intake, nutrient intake, physiological mea
sures, and socia-economic, demographic and behavioural variable. The lowest
consumers of fruit and vegetables had a mean intake of 738 g/week (men) an
d 630 g/week (women), equivalent to 1.3 and 1.1 portion/d, respectively. Co
nversely, the mean intake of both men women with the highest consumption wa
s 3137 g/week (5.6 portions day). There were more than twice as many adults
in the age group 16-24 located in Q1 than in Q4. The Manual social class a
nd those in receipt of benefits were negatively associated with fruit and v
egetable consumption. Smelters were significantly associated with low fruit
and vegetable intake. Being married was associated with increased fruit an
d vegetable intake and being single or divorced/separated was associated wi
th low fruit and vegetable intake. Eating home grown produce was associated
with high intake. Consumers who lived in London or the South-East were ass
ociated with higher fruit and vegetable intake.
Conclusions: The analysis draws attention to the wide variation in reported
fruit and vegetable consumption among British adults. High consumers merit
further investigation to elucidate practical strategies for increasing Fru
it and vegetable consumption. Strategies to increase consumption should be
targeted at groups most likely to include low consumers of fruits and veget
ables.